• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home IAAF

Meb Keflezighi & Bob Larsen: the Gamblers, by Larry Eder

Larry EderbyLarry Eder
January 16, 2012
0
0 0
0
SHARES
1
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Keflezighi_MebFV-USOlyT12.JPG

Meb Keflezighi, 2012 US Olympic Trials Marathon champion,
photo by PhotoRun.net

The race was fantastic. 111 men in the field, and 50 under 2:19.01. Nineteen personal bests, including best Olympic Trials marathon times for places two to fifteen! Meb Keflezighi’s win was masterful, a stroke of real genius and also, amazingly lucky. Bob Larsen, Meb’s coach, and Meb Keflezighi took a gamble, with their eyes open, and once again, the gamble paid off. Here is the behind the scenes’ story that will show you just how amazing their coach-athlete relationship is and how great of gamblers Bob & Meb are…..


I remember seeing Bob Larsen, Meb Keflezighi’s coach for the past 18 years, at the USATF Convention in early December 2011. We chatted, as we always do, first with a couple of jokes, then some track geek talk.  I have been lucky enough to know Coach Larsen for nearly thirty years, first, as a coach at Grossmont College, then, the Jamul Toads, and then UCLA. One would be hard pressed to find a finer coach, or, in my mind, finer man.

RelatedPosts

2022 Munich Diary: Jakob Ingebrigtsen to defend his 1,500m/5,000m double from Berlin 2018!

Gyulai Istvan Memorial: McLaughlin goes 51.68, fastest 400m ever in Europe, 7 Meet Records!

Kipyegon 3:50.37 missed WR by 0.3 at Herculis EBS Meeting/Monaco DL

Bob is not prone to hyperbole. He does not exaggerate or make things up. So, when he said, that Meb was just beginning training for the Olympic Trials, I did not worry or panic. Bob said it matter of factly, but there was some concern.

Keflezighi-Larson-USAMOT04.JPG Meb’s First Marathon team, 2004 US Olympic Trials, Meb & Bob, photo by PhotoRun.net

Bob Larsen’s relationship with Meb Keflezighi is rare among American athletes. Their relationship stretches back to Meb’s freshman year in college, at UCLA. It was during Meb’s senior year that Bob talked to Meb about aiming for the Olympic Games. The relationship has matured, to where, one might describe it as mentor/advisor/friend. Bob is good for Meb and Meb, in truth, is good for Bob. Meb focuses on the workouts, and Bob, worries, but never for one to see. There is always a smile on Larsen’s face.

Understand this, please. For great athletes, they are always chasing the red line. There is that gambling nature between too much work, too little work and being ready for the race. Meb & Bob, while they look quite conservative, are great and lucky gamblers. The difference is, that for Meb & Bob, two veterans of the world class athletics gamesmenship, they know the odds. Meb has had periods where he could barely walk, much less run world class times.  

In 2004, Meb had six and one half weeks of good training before the Marathon Trials. Meb and Bob actually discussed Meb not running in 2004, and yet, he made the team. Bob Larsen insists that Meb’s shape before the 2004 Olympic trials 10,000 meters was better than when he ran 27:13.98 for the AR in 2001 (It was not broken until May 1, 2010).

In 2004, Meb ran 27:36, to win the US Olympic Trials 10,000m.  Then, Meb went on to win the Olympic silver medal on a day so hot in Athens that it was aggravating to breathe. ” I knew I was going to get a medal there about twenty miles, and I wanted to push Stefano (Baldini), but I just did not have any more.” Meb did not give up, as while Stefano Baldini’s last mile was 4.28, Meb ran 4.38 for the final mile of the 2004 Athens Olympic marathon.

 Bob Larsen related that when Meb Keflezighi went over to shake Stefano Baldini’s hand after the Athens marathon, Stefano, the Olympic champion, could barely stand up on his own. Meb, while tired, was walking around pretty good.

The 2008 Olympic Marathon Trials, held
in New York City’s Central Park, was a nightmere for Meb. First his
former training partner and friend, Ryan Shay, collapsed and died during
the race. Secondly, Meb broke his hip and finished 8th. In 2008, Meb
did not make the team, after having made the teams in 2000 in the 10,000
meters and in 2004 in the 10,000 meters & the Marathon. His
injuries took a long time to heal and he questioned whether he could do
this journey one more time…

Meb Keflezighi is a tough, consistent runner. Since his 2:10.03 at Chicago, he has run 2:09 times eight times! Yet, Meb has not run a real fast time, when 2:05 marathon times are coming in relatively fast. The difference? Meb is a championship runner, he runs well when much is on the line, such as an Olympic Trials, and Olympics. His silver medal in 2004 was not given to him-he earned it. Likewise, his victory in 2010 at the ING NYCM was a gutty, exhilerating run to the finish-line.

Keflezighi_MebFV1a-USOlyT12.JPGMeb Keflezighi, 2012 US Olympic Trials champion,
photo by PhotoRun.net 


Meb ran his 2:09.13 at ING New York in 2011 was masterful. Meb developed, first a blood blister, then an infection in his foot. ” It was painful, and it did not heal for three weeks. In retrospect, that rest was good for me.”

Meb did not call the blister a blister. He first called it an infection, then, he called it, “the wound.” Think about that. For a guy who has run nine marathons under 2:10, a wound has to a near gaping hole. I am almost surprised that Meb & Bob did not name the near nemesis of this Marathon Trials a proper name. Just the same, blister, infection or wound, it did play a part in the preparation of Meb for this race.

No one knew about Meb’s three weeks off, due to the blister until Bob noted it at St.Louis, on December 2, at the USATF Convention. Larsen was not in a panic-he never is. Bob just told us that Meb was just starting training as he had a blister issue. So, Meb’s sixty-nine days between ING New York and the 2012 US Olympic Trials Marathon were cut down by twenty-one days. 48 days of training. Heck, I am not sure Jeff Galloway, the minstrel of new marathoners, would consider 48 days enough time to prepare for a 10k, let alone a marathon. However, Meb Keflezighi & Bob Larsen persisted. 

“It was much worse than we let on. It was on the center of my foot, just before my arch, and it would just not heal. In fact, it did not heal completely until three weeks ago.” noted Meb this morning in a post race conversation.

” We were not sure.” noted Meb. ” I really would have liked two more weeks of training, as I wanted to run a 2:08.”

” The race was okay. I had trouble swallowing some liquid before the race, so, I was a little concerned, and in fact, until I burped about 22 miles, I was not feeling great. Up until then, I was not sure I would finish. Remember, they almost dropped me about 22 miles? ” noted Meb this morning, ” I was thinking of dropping out.”

Hall-KeflezighiFlags-USOlyT12.JPG Hall, Keflezighi, 2012 US Olympic Trials-marathon, photo by PhotoRun.net


” Ryan made a move about 23 miles, and I was finally feeling good, after the burp, and when he let me go, about 24 miles, I charged hard for the next 400 to 500 meters. I knew I had to do it, and I took off.” smiled Meb.

Hall-KeflezighiWide-USOlyT12.JPG Meb vs Ryan, and then, there were two….photo by PhotoRun.net


” I have a blood blister on the same foot, I will let it heel, but it is not that bad. This race is for the girls. I want them to remember that their Dad ran in the London Olympics.” noted a smiling Meb.

Meb Keflezighi is selfless. He signed autographs today and took pictures at breakfast this morning. As I am writing this, I witnessed Meb’s longest uninterrupted time with his wife and family. For Meb, having a cup of coffee, and hanging with his brother, Hawi, as their girls run a bit and giggle, doing what little children do, is a luxury.

So, now, the race is over. “This race was the tough one. I needed to make the team to run in London.” noted Meb. He is right, the Olympic Trials are a battle supreme. Bob & Meb gambled, and once again, they won!

Now, Meb Keflezighi, US Olympic Trials marathon champion, will take a couple weeks easy, bask in the celebratory events for his victory, spend time with his lovely wife and children, and then, he and his coach will plan for London 2012.

Meb will probably have a few things to do for his sponsors. SKECHERS, who entered the running footwear business over the last two years, took an educated gamble with Meb Keflezighi, and won. SONY Music, UCAN sports nutrition are two of his other sponsors. Meb twitters thoughts out on his sponsors and is one of the more effective athletes on social media. As athletes have pondered about finding non-footwear sponsors, Meb’s brother, Hawi, has worked very hard to find new partners.  And, more than anything else he loves his fans.

Bob Larsen & Meb Keflezighi will take the time to plan out their training for the London 2012 Olympics. The Olympics that Meb can share with his wife and daughter. The Olympics that Meb wants to run well, leaving an indelible mark. This will be proper marathon training, and that should mean a very special marathon performance. A very special performance for these two gamblers.

You might want to bet on it….

Please check out video RBR Interview on Meb Keflezighi (SKECHERS Press conference): https://www.runblogrun.com/2011/11/post-7.html 

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself."

    View all posts

Previous Post

The Despair of Fourth: Emotions Run High at Conclusion of Epic Battle, by Dave Hunter, note by Larry Eder

Next Post

2012 NB Indoor Grand Prix: Rupp & Oliver Set to Compete in Boston, release, note by Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 50-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself."

Similar Post

2022 Munich Diary: How to follow the European Athletics Championships!
European Athletics

2022 Munich Diary: How to follow the European Athletics Championships!

August 13, 2022
2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day Six
European Athletics

2022 Munich Diary: Jakob Ingebrigtsen to defend his 1,500m/5,000m double from Berlin 2018!

August 13, 2022
2022 Munich Diary: Final Entries for Munich 2022 European Athletics Champs (by season’s best and country)
European Athletics

2022 Munich Diary: Final Entries for Munich 2022 European Athletics Champs (by season’s best and country)

August 13, 2022
2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day Six
Cross Country

2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day Six

August 13, 2022
Defending Champions Set to Return to the  2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon  Emily Sisson and Connor Mantz Headline a Strong American Field
World Marathon Majors

Defending Champions Set to Return to the 2022 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Emily Sisson and Connor Mantz Headline a Strong American Field

August 13, 2022
World Championships Medalists Gotytom Gebreslase, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, and Hellen Obiri to Join Women’s Field at 2022 TCS New York City Marathon on November 6
World Marathon Majors

World Championships Medalists Gotytom Gebreslase, Lonah Chemtai Salpeter, and Hellen Obiri to Join Women’s Field at 2022 TCS New York City Marathon on November 6

August 12, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

July 5, 2022
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

July 17, 2022
Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

July 19, 2022
Running Legends Recall Fun Times With Bill Squires

Running Legends Recall Fun Times With Bill Squires

July 7, 2022

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5

RunblogRun Editorial: The Sorry State of Running Television Coverage, by Peter Abraham, note by Larry Eder

4
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

4
Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

Cary Pinkowski did the Heroic Thing–My letter to CNN on the LSB Chicago Marathon

3
2022 Munich Diary: How to follow the European Athletics Championships!

2022 Munich Diary: How to follow the European Athletics Championships!

August 13, 2022
2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day Six

2022 Munich Diary: Jakob Ingebrigtsen to defend his 1,500m/5,000m double from Berlin 2018!

August 13, 2022
2022 Munich Diary: Final Entries for Munich 2022 European Athletics Champs (by season’s best and country)

2022 Munich Diary: Final Entries for Munich 2022 European Athletics Champs (by season’s best and country)

August 13, 2022
2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day Six

2022 RunBlogRun Summer Cross Country Mileage Program, Week Six, Day Six

August 13, 2022

Popular Stories

  • USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

    Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Oregon 22 World Athletics Champs: False Starts reconsidered

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Running Legends Recall Fun Times With Bill Squires

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Geoff Wightman, a man with many talents…

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0

Recent Tweets

RunBlogRun Follow

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. RunBlogRun is the voice of the sport.

RunBlogRun
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
10m

Karsten Warholm wished #FemkeBol best of luck with 400m/400mh double. He noted, for himself, "What goes up, must come down." and he using PUMA spikes he co developed, first used at Eugene22, ...#Munich2022, #BackToTheRoofs, #PUMA,

Reply on Twitter 1558810920570216449 Retweet on Twitter 1558810920570216449 Like on Twitter 1558810920570216449 Twitter 1558810920570216449
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
16m

Jake Wightman was asked about Jakob Ingebrigtsen's comment about Jake not being best athlete. Jake noted that it was not a nice comment, but" on that night, i won the gold." photo: #kevmofoto, Case ...closed. #Munich2022, #BackToTheRoofs,

Reply on Twitter 1558809537154633728 Retweet on Twitter 1558809537154633728 Like on Twitter 1558809537154633728 Twitter 1558809537154633728
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
21m

Caroline Schaefer, GER, did not compete in #WCHoregon22, so she could focus on the #EuropeanChampionships2022, in front of her home crowd. Photo from #alchetron,
#Munich2022, #backtotheroofs

Reply on Twitter 1558808366348214273 Retweet on Twitter 1558808366348214273 Like on Twitter 1558808366348214273 1 Twitter 1558808366348214273
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
33m

Jake Wightman: " it would have been tough to do 1,500m in all three champs. My Dad is not doing announcing here, so he is my coach. I am running 800m here." photo: @kevmofoto
#Munich2022, ...#BackToTheRoofs,

Reply on Twitter 1558805284545495040 Retweet on Twitter 1558805284545495040 Like on Twitter 1558805284545495040 Twitter 1558805284545495040
runblogrun RunBlogRun @runblogrun ·
39m

Femke Bol is attempting a double never tried before at EA Champs! " I'm excited about this championships." Femke is running 400m flat and 400m hurdles, prob 4x400m relay as well.
#Munich2022 ...#BackToTheRoofs

Reply on Twitter 1558803817222782976 Retweet on Twitter 1558803817222782976 Like on Twitter 1558803817222782976 4 Twitter 1558803817222782976
Load More...
Next Post

2012 NB Indoor Grand Prix: Rupp & Oliver Set to Compete in Boston, release, note by Larry Eder

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist